This BBQ cleaning tip will leave your grill sparkling, according to a metals expert
Try this chemical-free trick for a clean barbecue ready for alfresco grilling


If sunny garden parties with friends and family have left your BBQ looking worse for wear, fear not. We have a simple tip from a metals expert to help you give your grill a good clean before firing up for your next guests.
His BBQ cleaning technique involves some good old bicarbonate of soda, which is less likely to cause scratches on the surface of your best BBQ than some other cleaners.
Metals expert Paul McFadyen, managing director at specialist metal provider, metals4U has shared his top tip. 'Stainless steel is used for barbecue grills as it's hard-wearing and doesn't rust like most other metals,' Paul begins.
'When cleaning it you should be really careful not to use anything too abrasive that might damage the metal coating,' he says. 'We advise using baking soda mixed with water to form a paste to remove any dirt as it is non-toxic.'
Paul also recommends rinsing the area thoroughly after treating it and drying the BBQ with a microfiber cloth to prevent any watermarks.
Metal expert Paul says that you can also use baking soda to clean aluminium - so it's worth testing it out on any grubby pots and pans in the kitchen. If you have any stubborn stains on the bottom of your pans, try using the same paste to get them looking shiny and new.
If you don't have any baking soda to hand, Baqir Khan from Proactive Cleaners recommends other natural cleaners, such as white vinegar. This will also break down grease and dirt - although it will likely need some hard scrubbing for a proper clean.
'The best time to clean a barbecue would be pretty much straight after it's been used and, in the case of charcoal grills, when the coals are no longer smoking,' Baqir tells us. 'This ensures food and other debris has less time to char and harden on and should involve less scrubbing.'
For more ways to get your grill sparkling, read our guide on how to clean a BBQ.
Will you be trying the baking soda hack? If it's good enough for a metal expert, it's good enough for us.
If your outdoor furniture is also looking a little grubby, our guide on how to clean garden furniture will help to revive tired-looking chairs and loungers.
Looking for a new BBQ?
Time to upgrade your old BBQ for a sleek new grill? You'll find the best BBQ deals at today's best prices below.
Millie joined Gardeningetc in early 2021. She loves creating a vibrant display of containers in her small urban garden and is always picking up new plants at the local garden center. She's never without some fresh flowers at home and her favorite houseplant is her variegated pothos that's currently climbing its way over her bookshelves.
-
-
How to throw a garden tea party: simple solutions for a fun get-together
How To Take summer celebrations up a level by hosting a garden tea party in the backyard for your nearest and dearest
By Lisa Fazzani • Published
-
Split-level patio ideas: 12 clever ways to link your spaces
Ideas These split-level patio ideas will bring your plot to life and help you design and connect multi-level seating areas in your outdoor space
By Jill Morgan • Published